At the End of my Rope.

[laKrugRN]

My preceptor is ruining my first job experience and taking a toll on my sanity.

I am new grad. Got my BSN in May and was thrilled to land my first job.

My preceptor is an older LPN. I know she mocks me for having my BSN and not "knowing it all." WHO DOES?! The first week I did nothing but what she asked and even functioned independently. I had a sit down with my manager and she told me that the nurses thought my voice was ear splitting and I'm way too bubbly and I annoy them. (I work in Peds, why should I pretend to be grumpy? LOL) They also complained because I didn't know much. (I am a new nurse!) Well, I took the advice.

The next week I kept my voice down and toned my cheerfulness down. I slowly became more independent. My preceptor is nitpicky and her way is the only way to do things. She makes a point to loudly correct my mistakes in front of my other co-workers. And she is not constructive, she is insulting. I took 20 minutes with a patient and she yelled at me when I came out of the room, "You took way too long, we are behind now because of you." She swears in front of patients when she is stressed put. She once stopped me in the middle of an exam and told me I wasn't measuring the way she does it. I was humiliated. In turn, the parents didn't trust me thinking I was dumb. And when I took the parents with the baby back to their room I heard her yell "Why is no one with her?! She doesn't know what she's doing" I may not know everything, but I can get a baby's measurements for crying out loud and sorry I used the table and not your measuring tape. She would grab patients and take them back while I was stuck answering phones, thus giving me no further experience.

The next sit down I had with my manager, she told me my preceptor said I didn't understand anything and I was way too slow and she was concerned. She also said I wasn't taking enough initiative. (I volunteer to do EVERYTHING and she grabs up patients while I'm on the phone.) I was in shock. The others nurses were praising me for doing so well only being 2 weeks in at this point. My manager told me if she doesn't see improvement in 2 weeks, my job may be terminated. I kept my mouth shut and left. I cried on the way home.

My third week, I would ask her questions and she would give me smart-alek answers like "yeah, why wouldn't you do that?" I made an appointment for a sick child 45 minutes before we closed. The doctor did not see him until our closing time. She ripped me a new one. I offered to stay late but she yelled at me and told me to go home. I did. The next day she guilt tripped me in front of everyone that she had to stay late.

I am at the end of my rope. She lies or purposely sets me up to fail. My next meeting is set for Tuesday. We'll see what she tells my manager this time. It will be her word against mine, but I pray my coworkers will come to my aid. They have been praising me and so helpful. They even hate my preceptor. Why am I expected to know it all in 3 weeks when the other nurses on the unit said they are still learning 6 months in? I feel bullied and this has not been a good first job experience. I am trying to find a new job.

I can honestly say I am giving my all in this job. I am always offering help, I do what is asked, and do things the correct way. I feel for only being 3 weeks in nursing, let alone Pediatric nursing, I am doing well!

Any advice?

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I am not saying that you did anything wrong. BUT.... When I was in training I kissed my trainers orifices.

Nursing can be very political er catty.

Making nice with a preceptor can go a long way! I learned to say, "oh. That makes sense." When they "corrected" me about something that wasn't really that relevant.

Eventually, I earned my coworkers respect. I think, I hope, haha! I know I earned my program managers respect and the physicians respect. Making nice with co-workers goes a long ways.

I'm not judging you! My 1st new grad job ended in my termination- for no good reason, but it was a toxic workplace and I stood up for myself, so I think I know what you're going through.

But in my 2nd job, I learned how to play the Game and so far, it's working for me.

(((Hugs))) and I hope it works out for you!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

In acute care, an LPN (and I am one) can not direct an RN clinically. I am not sure what state you are in, or if this applies to your situation, but food for thought.

At your next meeting, get down to specifics. The "you are not blah blah" stuff is all talk unless a plan is put into place for improvement. Specific improvement. Do you have a checklist of what you need to do in your orientation? Can the manager indicate what you still need to learn, what expectations you have met, and how you can change your practice to meet other expectations? Seems like these meetings are getting you nowhere fast. You need timelined goals, and I would ask for them. Ask for clarification. Is the manager you are even speaking to a nurse?

As a multi-year LPN, I can and do help RN's with how to do clinical skills. Pointers. Helpful advice. But it is slightly inappropriate that and LPN regardless of experience level is precepting you. Mentoring, yes, precepting, no.

MAYBE at this point, you can be off of orientation, go to whomever if you are stuck, or if there's specific things that you need to learn how to do show competency in those, then you are on your own--with help if you need it. I would also as the manager if you could just show competency in skills to her, another RN, or the doctor themselves.

Bottom line--everyone has their own groove, their own way of accomplishing things. Unless it is a patient harm issue, it is not necessarily correct or incorrect--just a difference in practice. If you have a manager that is not doing much to stop the escalation of this situation, not giving you constructive goals going forward, you may need to look elsewhere.

I hope you have the opportunity to continue employment. Should you not, be absolutely sure that you are given the option of resigning as opposed to being let go if you believe that will benefit you in the long run.

Best wishes, and keep us posted.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

I am not saying that you did anything wrong. BUT.... When I was in training I kissed my trainers orifices.

Nursing can be very political er catty.

Making nice with a preceptor can go a long way! I learned to say, "oh. That makes sense." When they "corrected" me about something that wasn't really that relevant.

Eventually, I earned my coworkers respect. I think, I hope, haha! I know I earned my program managers respect and the physicians respect. Making nice with co-workers goes a long ways.

I'm not judging you! My 1st new grad job ended in my termination- for no good reason, but it was a toxic workplace and I stood up for myself, so I think I know what you're going through.

But in my 2nd job, I learned how to play the Game and so far, it's working for me.

(((Hugs))) and I hope it works out for you!

Oh yes; this is exactly how I learned (except a nurse in one of my rotations in school let me know how to survive the first year). I learned to jump through those hoops as big and senseless as they seemed. I'm not saying to kowtow to everything, but choose your battles wisely.

At first I was resistant but after talking to this nurse I realized that I knew nothing and I needed to keep my mouth closed and listen and learn from all around me. It's nothing but a learning process. Best advice I ever got. She also told me that I was going to be the best RN ever and to never let anything anyone told me otherwise to discourage me.

[VANurse2010]

It is very inappropriate for an LPN to be precepting a new grad RN, for a host of reasons. Orienting an experienced RN to a facility? Sure. Precepting a new grad? Hell. No.

I agree with jadelpn. Unless your'e getting a specific plan for improvement and orientation objectives, your management is being very unprofessional in dealing with this situation.

[Nienna Celebrindal]

It is very inappropriate for an LPN to be precepting a new grad RN, for a host of reasons. Orienting an experienced RN to a facility? Sure. Precepting a new grad? Hell. No.

I've been an LVN 12 years and I whole heartedly agree. It would be one thing if she was just showing you how they charted or getting an idea of the pace but precepting a new grad?! That blows me away, I would never have said yes to that even if I thought I could do a good job.

Is you manager a nurse?

[pcorn020]

Oh when I red this I thought it was my story! This year I had a horrible preceptor (she was not a lpn though), and she ruined my experience too by telling the nurse manager how not knowledgeable I was... Anyway I wanted to be tough and "swallow the pill", but it became worse and when I asked for a new preceptor at the end of my orientation it was too late...

Ultimately I ended up quitting my job. Other nurses wanted me to write a complaint to higher instances but I made the choice not to because this was my first job and I didnt want to have a trouble maker reputation at the very beginning of my career!

Anyway if I had to do one thing different it would be to tell my manager from the start that I want to change preceptor. But now I am very happy with my new job and I am glad I made the change. People now respect me and looking back I realize it was just a bad luck that I ended up with horrible preceptor/manager, not every workplace is like this

good luck!

[dldenton]

First of all, why is a LPN orienting a BSN RN? Secondly, you need to speak up for yourself to those higher than manager. Sounds like there is alot of favoritism with manager and LPN rather than objective constructive criticism. Be sure to re read your job description and be aware of policies and procedures. Also, what were the objectives and expectations discussed with you as a new graduate RN. If this has not occurred then put it back on the preceptor and ask her,"What are your expectations of a new grad BSN?" Do you have goals for me each week of what needs to be accomplished? Do some research of preceptor/orientee expectations, what you should be getting out of your orientation. Try not to make it about the preceptor but your strengths and weaknesses and what is expected in the manager/new nurse relationship? What does your manager hope for you to accomplish with this particular preceptor and WHY a LPN? I am an older nurse and have preceded. The goal is to make the transition from student to nurse reasonably enjoyable. This not only encourages you but helps in employee retention. You try to make this a positive experience no matter what. Best of luck in your nursing career.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

There is a wide variety of scopes of practice state to state. Most will say that an LPN can do whatever a facility tells them they can, and they show competency in. Some do not say "an LPN can not do blah, blah....." SOME will say "an LPN can't do a blood transfusion, an IV push...." but a large number do not. That is a facilty decision.

With that being said a specific scope of practice mandate to most EVERY state is that an LPN can never CLINICALLY direct an RN. Period. Therefore, OP this set up is wrong from the begining.

[laKrugRN]

Get this guys...

I was told Tuesday of late week that "You are doing great. So much improvement. Your preceptor has given you a rave review, Keep it up!" Then, TWO DAYS LATER I got called in and was told if I didn't improve in 3 weeks, I would be terminated. I AM SO LOST!! I asked for an explination and no one would give me one. Went to HR, nothing was done. They are trying to get rid of me I swear.

[sfreeman6133]

I would start looking for other jobs if I was you

[laKrugRN]

Yeah, already there!!